Pittsburgh Steelers running back running back Le'Veon Bell catches a pass in warmups while wearing some stylish gloves before the home opener against the Minnesota Vikings at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept.17, 2017. Barry Reeger | Special to PennLive(Barry Reeger)

Le'Veon Bell and the Steelers are 'a lot closer' to a long-term deal than they were at this time last year, Bell said on the NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2018 Reactions show on Tuesday.

"That's what I'm happy about," Bell said. "None of that matters if we don't get it done. Hopefully we'll try to get something done. That's what I'm looking forward to. I got confidence we'll get it done. I want to do it."

ESPN previously reported that Bell won't sign a multi-year contract worth less than $14.5 million, which is what he's set to make on the franchise tag this year. Bell said during an Instagram Live chat in March that -- like last year -- he wouldn't join the team until Week 1 without a deal.

Bell didn't participate in OTAs or mandatory minicamp, which he wasn't required to attend because he hasn't signed the franchise tag.

If Bell doesn't agree to a deal with the Steelers before the NFL's July 17 deadline for franchise tagged players, he also won't be required to attend training camp. Training camp opens on July 25.

Bell told NFL.com he's optimistic about reaching a deal and arriving to camp on time.

"Yeah. You know regardless that's what I want to do," Bell said. "I don't want to have the replications of what happened last year. But if that came down to that, obviously I got to do what I got to do. Take my stand and protect myself. I don't want to have to do that. I want to go to camp and play for the Steelers long term."